News

Hitch Bitch: Torture and Conformity

The Hitch Bitch topic of the week was Christopher Hitchens's waterboarding column, although some readers are still talking about his Bohemia piece.

Christopher Hitchens is little more than a political tool, not to mention a coward by his own admission. In his article "Believe Me, It's Torture," he torpedoes his own statement on torture by admitting he asked to halt the waterboarding because he panicked. I would submit that his claim is a bald-faced lie, as he didn't even fully experience what he says he did. Shame on Vanity Fair for printing this tripe as some kind of factual news. Hitchens is nothing but a chubby cheerleader for the haters in this once great country.—Fred Pettis, Kansas City, Kansas

I am appalled at the ridiculous article by Christopher Hitchens, "Believe Me, It's Torture." Where was he on September 11 when all those Americans and foreigners were incinerated by terrorists? And he thinks that waterboarding is torture? While I can usually accept many stupid articles from this writer, the last one by this idiot is infuriating. I think Hitchens is in the United States because his own county doesn't want him. Neither do we.—Vivian, Koch, Oyster Bay, New York I do not wish to bitch, but rather to express admiration for Christopher Hitchens's artfully composed defense of Bohemia in "Last Call, Bohemia." I believe there are elements of his argument that may also apply to urban planning in general, especially in smaller towns. Large chains and franchises have made every North American town look depressingly like the next.—Stephen Leighton, Toronto, Canada

Bohemia has become extinct. The concept you speak of is utterly alien to the youth of today who are punch-drunk with techno toys. If you asked the average college youngster to define the word Bohemia, I doubt they would have an answer. Instead, they would simply go on their way, immersed in their iPods, laptops, and headphones. We have raised a generation of willing, conformist slaves, not the minds that once flourished in Bohemia.—Peter Winskill

Readers seeking to weigh in on Hitchens's recent columns, books, and television appearances are invited to write to us at hitchbitch@vf.com. VF Daily will post a selection of the sharpest, snappiest, and/or most elegantly reasoned letters, but keep in mind that what you submit may be edited. Please include your full name and hometown—and please, don't write anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.